Amateurs with professional approach

By day a plumber and heating engineer, Kevin will be carousel barker Billy Bigelow to Sarah Wood’s Julie Jordan) in the classic show, the second stage musical by the team of Richard Rodgers (music) and Oscar Hammerstein II (book and lyrics).

The work, which premiered in 1945, will be staged by SACOS from Wednesday, April 13 to Saturday, April 16 at 7.30pm at Manhood Community College, School Lane, Selsey,

with a matinee on Saturday, April 16 at 2.30pm.

For Kevin, it’s all - as ever - about the fun, though he’s quick to stand up for the amateur tag: “That old saying ‘only amateur’ riles me! I sometimes think I would love to see how these professional people would do if they had to hold down a proper job as well as doing what they love doing!

“I love doing this, but I have got to do a job to make ends meet and support the family!”

He concedes though that amateur status has probably given him far more opportunities than many professionals would ever get. Kevin has also worked with CAOS in Chichester, with BROS in Bognor and also in Arundel.

But now comes a big one - one he admits he probably ought to have tackled a few years ago, but certainly a fascinating character to get into.

“I think you have got to be a bit naïve in the role. Billy is not a very well educated fellow, and he tries to hide behind his good looks, trying to hide his lack of worldy wiseness.

“He is a simple character and is easily led. He won’t admit to any mistakes. He won’t admit to being wrong until the end when he realises how stupid he has been - but it is too late then. That’s when the revelation comes that you have got to try to be nice to people and not to act in the selfish way that he does.”

The night will feature songs including You’ll Never Walk Alone , June is Bustin’ Out All Over and If I Loved You. The show has been directed by Audrey Pring and musical director Jonathan Grover and comes with a 14-piece orchestra and a cast of more than 40 adults and 18 children.

SACOS welcomes children from Selsey’s Cloud Nine Theatre Society, taking part as The Snow children and chorus. Tickets are £8.50 and £7.50 concessions, available now from

01243 604875 and SIC Computers, 123A High Street, Selsey.

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